It Could Have Been For The Kings

I kinda miss PBA. I got frustrated last time when the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) were eliminated in their wildcard game against the Air21 Express. I got a little more disappointed that time since Kerby 'The Kid' Raymundo was only able to gain most of his scores only from the free throw line. Anyway, it was the first game of the Quarter Finals Series between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK), my favorite team, and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

I was not able to watch the game. Good that I have friends who willingly update me on the happenings as the game goes by. I was kinda sad that time when SMB lead ballooned to 10 big points at the end of the first half (42-32). To my mind, SMB is really an all-star cast. And there's BonBon Custodio (my bet for the Rookie of the Year, ha ha) who really plays so well. But, I still wanted to see BGK winning the game.

I was delighted when BGK come back because of their 3-pt shots. And it was more fascinating since one of the shots from the parking lot came from my favorite player, Chris Pacana. I really hoped that he would be given more playing time by Coach Jong Uichico.

It was a tight ball game in the ending minutes. While still on my way home, I hoped that I could still catch the game and see Pacana throwing the winning shot. Yes, I was able to catch the game. It was about 47 (Mark Caguioa? Where are you?) seconds left, 78-77 in favor of SMB, BGK's ball. Well, as expected, Pacana is no where to found in the court. Pacana is used by Coach Uichico more on the defensive stop rather on offense. Anyway, what matter here now is to have a basket. But it was heartbreaking when Ronald Tubid failed to chip in his 3 point basket. Nonetheless, he was hailed as the game's 3-point King. Now, it was SMB's ball. They just melted the clock, and was not able to gain a basket. Only 4 seconds left, BGK had another chance of making a win from this one. But, JayJay Helterbrand's 3-point attempt do not even touch the rim. Well, it was a hard shot. He was not given any screen that time. He simply fished for a fould then against Custodio, but the referees where too lazy to call one. (It makes me miss PF, and all their buzzer beaters.)

Sorry loss for BGK. The game could have been for the them. But, it was not. Well, the series is a Best of 3, they will surely come back next game. It would be a do or die for them. And I'm sure, they'll do it.

The scores:

San Miguel 78 - Tugade 15, Hontiveros 14, Racela 11, Custodio 10, Seigle 10, Pingris 6, Pena 6, Washington 4, Pennisi 2, Calaguio 0.

Ginebra 77 - Mamaril 22, Tubid 14, Valenzuela 9, Helterbrand 8, Artadi 7, Salvacion 6, Menk 4, Pacana 3, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 21-16, 42-32, 61-54, 78-77.

Barangay Ginebra Kings vs Air21 Express Highlights

December 05, 2008
Air21 vs. Ginebra (102 - 84)
Araneta Coliseum

Junthy Valenzuela vs KG Canaleta



Billy Mamaril Slam against Arwind Santos (no foul huh?)

Alex Crisano Slam (technical? c'mon, Kelly Wiliams, Gabe Norwood, and Arwind Santos slams that way as well)

Raffy Reavis Blocked Arwind Santos (foul?!)

Game 8 of the Championship?

My cousin had been encouraging me to watch PBA live at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday. He said that it would be a championship-like battle between Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and Air21 Express since they were the teams that fought for the crown last Fiesta Conference. But due to personal reasons, I was not able to join them. I just watched the game on TV, CS9, with poor reception and boring commentators (one of 'em called Gary David as Bal David twice), haha.

It was really a championship-like ballgame. BGK, like last fiestacon, had a depleted line-up. Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, and Billy Mamaril are missing in action. Air21, on the other hand, had a complete line-up. Arwind Santos and Homer Se are now back after being suspended due to their game against Rain or Shine Elasto (ROSE) Painters last October 5.

As usual, BGK had a poor start. But, JayJay Helterbrand's three 3-pointer in the 1st quarter keeps the Big Dome rocking. It was a close fight. A lot of lead changes. But the game was fun. It was raining 3 point shots for the BGK. JunJun Cabatu has 4/7, Helterbrand 5/11, Junthy Valenzuela 1/2, Ronald Tubid 3/7, and Paul Artadi 1/4. Summing it up, they scored 42 points just from their 3 point shots.

The game was a revelation for Cabatu. I thought it was just mere luck when he hit a 3 point shot last game against Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR). But his 4 three-pointers last night means he is hot from the arc. He was hailed as the Best Player of the Game (BPG) with a career-high of 23 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assits.

It feels like an extension of the 2007-2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Championship. And BGK fought again with pure HEART. I wonder how strong BGK line-up would be if Mark Caguioa is back in shape. Smells like back-to-back championship huh? I wish.

Scores:

Ginebra 101 - Cabatu 23, Helterbrand 21, Valenzuela 14, Tubid 13, Artadi 11, Wilson 6, Crisano 6, Pacana 4, Holper 2, Escalona 1, Salvacion 0.

Air21 92 - Santos 19, De Ocampo 15, Arboleda 12, David 11, Se 10, Quinahan 8, Billones 7, Intal 4, Cruz 3, Canaleta 3, Kramer 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 41-46, 76-77, 101-92

We Are The Champions

We Are The Champions - Queen Music Code

"We are the champions, my friend.
And we'll keep on fighting, till the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers, 'coz we are the champions, of the world."

Coach Bo Perasol, before the Finals started, told that it would be Air21 vs The Philippines in the 2007-2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Championship. If this is so, I believe The Philippines slept last night and woke up today very happy, for BARANGAY GINEBRA KINGS (BGK) ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 2007-2008 SMART PBA FIESTA CONFERNCE.

I can't really explain the happiness the championship had brought not only to me, but to my BGK JAMSHIPS as well. Kinda funny that we all end up emotional. It's as if that in all the BGK Players had been through, the BGK JAMSHIPS are there as well.

I remember in my previous post, I leave a question on "Who really deserved this championship? Is it Air21, who, from the start of the eliminations landed the top spot. Or is it BGK who travel its way from the bottom?" And I believe, it was really BGK who deserved the championship crown. As what everybody says, they played purely by HEART.

Almost everyone had been injured. In the eliminations, Mark Caguioa had been injured. Before the eliminations ended, Ronald Tubid had been injured. At the start of the Finals, JayJay Helterbrand and Paul Artadi had been injured. Game 7, Junthy Valenzuela had been injured. All of the star players had suffered injuries. But with their NEVER SAY DIE SPIRIT, they managed to dig in their bench, reached the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and finally, the CHAMPIONSHIP.

BGK lost Ronald Tubid since the last game of the eliminations. BGK surely missed his classic defense. But Chris Pacana and Junthy Valenzuela stepped up to fill in Tubid's loss. In Game 4 of Finals, losing JayJay could mean nightmare to BGK, but Tubid's comeback had been a surprise for Air21. This then had given him the personal achievement of being Eric Menk's co-Finals MVP.

JayJay, the Best Player of the Conference was not able to play in the Finals since Game 2, 3rd Quarter. Paul Artadi, even though hurting from a pulled hamstring in Game 1 of Finals, uses his pure heart to fill in JayJay's place. He mentioned touching words such as "kaya nga kami nasa ginebra kasi never say die ang puso namin" and what about "PUSO LANG TALAGA ANG NAGPAPATAKBO NG TEAM NA 'TO" It's as if those words are enough to win the championship.

Junthy Valenzuela absorbed the never say die spirit of BGK. Game 6, he shed a tear as he was ejected from the game, being called for his 2nd Technical Foul. Game 7, nobody knows that his knees are hurting, not until he cried for pain. And then, everyone knew that his knees are all wrapped up. But his desire to win the game is much greater than the pain in his knees. No wonder why BGK JAMSHIPS' Meriel got too emotional with this one.

Eric Menk, no wonder, he is hailed Finals MVP. The Finals series is his come back. More particularly, Game 7. Ranidel de Ocampo nor Kramer cannot stop 'Major Pain'. Can't wait for the All Filipino, the MVP Eric Menk is back!!!

Chris Alexander, 'The Greatest'. The Best Import. I was so speechless. I knew you also have the heart of the champion. You even told everyone "I just can't go home without winning this one" BGK fans will surely miss you. Hope to see you next Fiesta Conference.

And what about Mark 'The Spark' Caguioa. He promised this championship. And in the dying minutes of the game, he uses his heart above all the pain he's feeling in his knees, both knees. He really can't make the basket due to his injury, but his heart helped him grab rebounds in the crucial moments of the championship. You can see in his face that he is aching, but you can feel in his heart that he wanted to win the championshiop. *sniff*

Of course, I won't forget Chris Pacana. After all the doubts many had in you. I salute you for the confidence you had. The steals against Air21's star player, Gary David shows that you don't have any first time jitters. Although a point guard you never hesitated in rebounding the ball. And a never say die attitude defense from Air21's fastbreak is in you. You just stand there against Gary David, or Homer Se, or Arwind Santos, establish your position, raise both hands, then the opponent can't get the basket. Makes me admire you more. *blush*

We started at the bottom, now we're on top of the world. CONGRATULATIONS BARANGAY GINEBRA KINGS!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPION!!!

Chris Pacana

Who is Chris Pacana? I really don't know Chris Pacana until I was able to watch him play with Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK), wearing Jersey Number 22. I believe the first time I saw him in the hard court, he made a 3 pointer that equally impresses me as his looks does. I usually admire point guards. Thus, Chris Pacana captured my admiration.

If you would dig in to my blog, my first post was JayJay Helterbrand - Second Best? I revealed there that I don't usually go for the best. I believe Mark Caguioa (MC) is the star player of BGK, so I really go for JayJay. But, as I become an active member of PBA-Online, I found out that MC and JayJay are crowd favorites. JayJay may be the second best in BGK players, but he is the best point guard in the league. So, who could be my second best? Paul Artadi or Chris Pacana? I know many would be picking Artadi instead of Pacana. Well, it is Chris Pacana for me.

I felt sad knowing that some BGK fans are blinded by the flaws of Chris Pacana. Hence, I decided to create this blog to showcase his talent. And hopefully open up the minds of those detractors.

I don't know really of a point guard who can block. I'm sorry but I'm not that kinda PBA fanatic to watch all the games. I'm just a BGK Fanatic. It really amazed me the way he blocked someone from Alaska during their last game of the eliminations. Just recently, Game 6 of the Finals, he had blocked someone from Air21. I saw that it was a clean block. But the referees called for a foul. *sigh*

I absolutely agree that Chris Pacana is not as fast as JayJay. But he compensates his speed with his defensive skills. Game 1 of the Finals, he was commended for limiting Gary David's scoring, the opponents' best scorer for the locals at least. He may not be an offensive threat for Air21. But his defensive stop against David should really be appreciated.

I was not able to watch Game 2, but my BGK JAMSHIPS informed me how great Chris Pacana's game was. The first 6 points of BGK all came from Chris Pacana. He somewhat revenge sweetly on Coach Bo Perasol's statement 'Hwag nyo ng masyadong bantayan si Pacana, hindi naman si JayJay yan'.

Chris Pacana can block, and he can rebound as well. Guess what? In Game 3, he was the second highest rebounder for BGK, next to Cris Alexander 'The Greatest'. He tallied a total of 10 big rebounds. A great job for a point guard. Want more stats? He's the series leader in steals as of Game 3. He tallied a total of 7 steals in the first three games.

Everyone knows that in Game 4, Chris Pacana is a revelation. He is Artadi's co-best player of the game (BPG). He tallied 14 big points in 17 minutes of playing time. And for those who judged him right away, sarcastically believing that it was his first BPG, you are wrong. He had been hailed BPG twice when he was still in Coca-Cola Tigers.

In Game 6, when BGK is trying to catch up with a 16 point deficit, it was one of Chris Pacana's steal that turned on the spark. Game 6 was a close fight in the pay off period. But Chris Pacana's fearless drive towards the basket made Air21's hope to finish the series die. It was the game's Gatorade Game Turning Point.

Chris Pacana might have committed mistakes, makes wrong decisions, and makes bad shots. But hey, everyone does. Even Michael Jordan, I believe, does commit mistakes. So what's the point putting blame on him? BGK doesn't reach Game 7 merely because of a single player. They reached Game 7 as a TEAM. Someone covered someone else's flaws and shortcomings. Everyone commits mistakes, but there always someone who would step up and clean the mess. CHRIS PACANA might have brought some mess. But he was able to clean his own mess, and even clean someone else's.

Game 1, Game 4, Game 6.. CHRIS PACANA showed his talent.. Game 1, Game 4, Game 6... BGK won the battle..

GO CHRIS PACANA!!! TRUE BGK FANS ARE COUNTING ON YOU!!!

Thanks to swooshgoddess15 for the picture.

The Best Players Are In Barangay Ginebra Kings

Finally, I've got the courage to write this article. I wanted to have this posted last Friday, but words are so hard to find, even last night.

Photo grabbed from www.pba-online.net

JayJay Helterbrand and Cris Alexander of the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) are hailed as the Best Player and Best Import of the Conference (BPC and BIC) respectively. The moment I heard this news from my JAMSHIPS, I had this on my mind -- "Usually, when the BPC is awarded to someone, his team loses that game". And this thought holds true for BGK that night. JayJay's team does not merely lose the game, he even got injured. (huhuhu..) Thus, Air21 Express tied the series 1-1.

I was hoping that Game 3 would be on BGK's side. But, I was wrong. Knowing that JayJay could not play, I somehow prepared myself for the BGK's loss. And they did. Now, Air21 leads the series 2-1.

Basketball is a team game, it is not won by an individual. Last night, it was only 'The Furious'. There's no 'The Fast' nor 'The Fearless'. Eric Menk had stepped up and is regaining his MVP moves. Alexander tallied a triple-double (14 points, 17 rebounds and 11 shot blocks). But, we still lose the game. And I really felt sad. But, it won't hinder me writing this blog and boasting to everyone that 'The Best Players Are In Barangay Ginebra Kings'.

In fairness to Air21, I admire Arwind Santos, one of the most consistent players in the league, and KG Canaleta, and his humility. If not for them, I might hated the team. Paul Artadi and Alexander may be playing physical this series. But a clean physical game. Not physical to the point of throwing away your opponent intentionally (Wynne Arboleda), intentionally pushing your opponent using your elbow (Gary David), and using a karate move not on the ball but on the arms of your opponent (Homer Se). I'm not blind not to see how good David was. He really is the 'Mr. Pure Energy' of Air21. But his attitude makes me dislike him. More when he shows an insulting salute to our 'Gentle Giant'. He better give thanks for Alexander is a sports one. If it happened to be someone like Terrence Leather, he might have broken bones last night.

The series aint over. It takes 4 wins to grab the championship. If Air21 wins, congratulations to them. They did a great job. And they made history by winning their first ever title. But if BGK wins, a lot would surely rejoice, and count me in. Who really deserved this championship? Is it Air21, who, from the start of the eliminations landed the top spot. Or is it BGK who travel its way from the bottom? But, no matter what happens, I would still cheer for the best players, the BGK. I'm not speaking on my own, I'm not being biased, I have the statistical proof:

• Top Scorer of the Series: Mark Caguioa
• Top Rebounder of the Series: Cris Alexander
• Top Assist of the Series: JayJay Helterbrand
• Top Steals of the Series: Chris Pacana
• Top Blocks of the Series: Cris Alexander

GO BGK!!! The Philippines is counting on you!!!